On 1 January 2001, the Euro became the official, circulating currency of twelve of the fifteen nations of the European Union, replacing such national currencies as the franc, the mark, and the lira. It becomes the currency of just over 300 million people encompassing an economic area with a GDP of $5.2 trillion. The common currency is a pivotal step in the economic integration of participating European Union member states. A successful European common currency may also provide a challenge to the dollar as the world's reserve currency. The book presents issues and analyses related to this new and powerful currency.